If last weekend was beyond crazy, schedule-wise, this weekend was a refreshing opposite--staying at home all weekend, being productive, spending a little time on the phone with loved ones, and "centering myself."

In fact, I'm so darn proud of what I've accomplished in only one weekend, I need to record it for posterity:

made 12 cards (thank-yous and birthdays)

made one camouflage-print flannel pajama set for Jude, including shorts, pants, and a button-down shirt. He likes it so much, he's been wearing the shirt all day.

scrapbooked two layouts (see below--one of the layouts is from several weeks ago.)

watched "School of Rock" again. Still a great movie.

talked to all four member of my immediate family. (Okay, I know I live with my mom, so that one was a no-brainer. But hey--I actually talked to the other two that I don't live with, too! I can't remember that last time that happened all in one weekend!)

planned my year-end photo-gift/address change/update newsletter project. As you can tell, I like to make my projects multi-task!

Jason took our Wii to the office to use the high-speed internet and download an update. The Mario Kart game we got for Jude for his birthday didn't like our old technology, or something, so after Jason fixed it on Saturday, the kids (including the biggest one--Jason!) had a blast playing it all afternoon Sunday.

Jabin hasn't been feeling well the last couple of days--hasn't eaten much, and has a bit of a fever. I gotta say, he is the happiest sick kid I know. Even when he's sick, he's still smiling and congenial, singing songs to himself and being sweet. What a little sunshine he is!

Here are the layouts:

These photos were all taken when Jude was about 15 months old--just before Noah was born. Reiteration from last Monday's post: WHERE DID THAT BABY GO?!!!!

Winters' Day In

Get more encouraging and knitterly posts by following me on Instagram @TalenaWinters.

Can you guess what I'm reading from the book that's missing from the shelf? I've seen all the movies, but haven't actually read the Divergent series before. No, I didn't start with Four. I'll go back and read that later if I can't get enough.
.
It's a strange but creative concept, and the writing is awesome. Though I admit to having to suspend disbelief more than usual because of things I'm not sure the author thought of, the characters and world are so great, I don't care. With a character like Tris, so much more comes through on the page than the screen. I'm glad I'm finally taking the time.
.
What are you reading this week?
.
#divergent #veronicaroth #writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading #igreads #mybookshelf

I'm finally retouching this year's school photos to print and came across this classic pose of ds#3. He makes every day an adventure. :-)
.
Happy Monday!
.
#boymom #sillyboy #canadianeh #goofykid #mondaysmile #family #funwithmykid

Looking for a fast gift to make for someone this season? I just published the Pinnable Pillow Cover. This statement beginner project can be made in only a few hours. Check it out at www.talenawinters.com/pinnable-pillow-cover.
.
Happy knitting!
.
#bernatyarn #bernatmegabulky #yarnspirations #pillowcover #homedecor #beginnerprojects #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

After nearly three years of development, the Building Blocks Cowl/Hood and its accompanying How to Knit tutorial are both published and available. (Now I do the dance of joy!)
.
This is a learn-to-knit pattern with instructions written for multiple skill levels from Absolute to Advanced Beginner.
.
The How to Knit tutorial is free at www.talenawinters.com/how-to-knit, and supports this pattern beautifully. It would also be great to use to teach someone else to knit.
.
Find the unisex Building Blocks Cowl/Hood at www.talenawinters.com/building-blocks-cowl-hood.
.
Happy knitting!
.
#buildingblockscowl #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

Impulse buy. Impulse read. I like it so far. This week, my only reading time has been over breakfast and lunch, so progress is slow. Maybe I'll really get into The Bookshop of Yesterdays this weekend.
.
I just love this clever cover design.
.
What are you reading?
.
#writerscommunity #writerslife #writersofig #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading #thebookshopofyesterdays #amymeyerson

This month's newsletter couldn't be any later for November. This month, I talk about how resting can help increase productivity, plus the list of the book I read (a lot more than usual!). Happy December eve, friend!
.
#newsletter #motivation #inspiration #amwriting #amreading #writersofig #writersofinstagram #writerslife #bookloversofinstagram

The idea for the Secret Garden Fingerless Mittens design came on a road trip to Seattle in early May. It was snowy at home still in Northern Alberta, but the mountains in B.C. and Seattle area were already well into spring. The closer we got to the coast, the more flowers and green we saw. And while we were there, I found a "Secret Garden" in a nature preserve in Bellevue.
.
I was taking the trip with my mother and uncle, and my mom decided she was ready to branch out from her favourite fingerless mitten pattern and asked me to design her something. So, after having her knit up a swatch in the yarn she wanted to use, I did the math, came up with this pretty little eyelet design, and wrote it up for her. She intends to add beads along the "vine" on the back for extra bling and prettiness. However, even without, the seed stitch trim and simple eyelet pattern makes a striking, minimal statement.
.
The Secret Garden Fingerless Mittens pattern is now on all the major platforms. Find out more and where to buy at
www.talenawinters.com/secret-garden-fingerless-mittens
.
Happy knitting!
.
#secretgardenfingerlessmittens #fingerlessmittens #kinttingpattern #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects

What I'm making and what I'm reading. Slightly different genres! Ha! Either way, I'll be finished with both the book and the Secret Garden Fingerless Mittens design soon. Not bad for a week where I was sick. 🙂
.
#secretgardenfingerlessmittens #brandonsanderson #wheeloftime #robertjordan #towersofmidnight #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #bookish #reading #knitstagram #amknitting #knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #mysecretwishbytalena #mswbtprojects